The Sudbrock Scoop

Easter Weekend

Easter Weekend in Germany is always full of surprises and family fun. Every year is a little different than the year before and this year was not an exception. In past years we have done various things to celebrate our savior's resurrection including an early morning breakfast at our home for the church members, a picnic and bonfire on Saturday night, breakfast at the church, lunch at the church, a children's program, and a quiet time of candlelight devotion and testimonies. This year the church decided to have an afternoon festival for the neighborhood. Knowing that we would be away most of the weekend, we encouraged the church people to take over the decorations and preparations. We printed up posters and fliers and invitations and then headed off to Aschaffenburg for our annual BBFI German Missionary Fellowship meeting. The kids were all excited about spending the weekend in the parsonage at Baptisten Christliche Gemeinde Aschaffenburg. After a 5 hour car ride, we arrived and unpacked and enjoyed some time of fellowship with missionaries Keith and Debbie Gandy and the kids had a blast playing with their dog, Jack. Friday morning with a good night's sleep behind us, Paul and the kids headed over to the church while I finished tidying up. It wasn't long until Paul was knocking on the door needing the car keys. Serenity had fallen up some stairs in the basement where the children's ministry is set up and had cut her nose open. She was going to need stitches. Just a little over an hour before church services, Keith and Paul headed off to the emergency room with Serenity. Keith made it back in time for Good Friday services, which were wonderful by the way. Paul and Serenity however didn't make it back until after the services. Serenity had to have 3 stitches just under her nose. She was a little woosey from the pain killers for most of the day, but by evening she was back running on all cylinders again as if nothing had happened. Friday afternoon, we enjoyed a wonderful time of refreshment, encouragement and fellowship with 7 different German missionary families.

Saturday morning we headed back to Wittenberg to prepare for Sunday. We stopped by the church on our way into town and found that the people had down a wonderful job of cleaning and decorating. The rest of the evening was spent in preparation, cakes to be baked, children's services to be finished off, songs to be practiced, etc.

Just as the disciples were met with a wonderful surprise on the first Easter morning the children also awoke to surprises including new Easter clothes from Oma and Opa in Iowa and soft fleece Easter bags from Aunt and Uncle Dresser in Ohio.

For the morning services we were blessed to have two visitors with us as well as two of our regular families. In eastern Germany, Easter is not known much as a "church" holiday. Traditionally, everyone gets together with family for breakfast and lunch. Because of this, there have been many Easter Sundays that we have spent alone. We are so thankful that we were not alone this year. After services, the children hunted for surprises in the garden, the biggest prize of all being a large red egg with a linen napkin in it. Before the children make their morning trek into the garden, Pastor Paul always tell them the story of the empty tomb and the napkin that Christ left folded and placed to the side symbolizing His eminent return. This year it was Serenity who found the promise in the garden.

Sunday afternoon we enjoyed cake and coffee with several of the church families and a few visitors as well. For the children we have a craft and coloring table set up using supplies that our various churches have sent as well as games and a video. In the evening we BBQ ed and enjoyed an evening service and fireside singing. Despite the cold, cloudy weather, a few neighbors stopped by and most of the church people made it sometime during the course of the day. All in all, it was a wonderful resurrection celebration. We are so very thankful for the people God has given us to minster among.

Thank you for your prayers and financial support which God uses to keep us here.